JBS1

I have to say in all honesty the first couple of times I saw the Troopers show, I didn't really get it--until I saw it live in person last weekend. Totally different experience when you're there, sitting 10 rows from field level, hearing, seeing, experiencing. Very powerful, moving, and unique show. IMO, scores and captions and judging aside, you can't totally understand what this show is about until you're actually there in person. And those poor guys who have to put down and pick up the road every night, this Bud's for you!

Any thoughts on the Troopers show, CrownBari? I'm in a chat room with a bunch of Trooper friends.

That bears REpeating

Hope the show went well tonight. I'm wearing my Academy shirt for good luck.

I've heard from a reliable source that there were significant changes made to the closer, it was going to be more difficult to march it, but would be an improvement over the previous. Can't wait to see the show in San Antonio Saturday.

San Antonio weather will be hot, pushing 100 degrees. Inside the Alamodome is another story. I have been there for numerous drum corps and high school band competitions. It's mostly been cold enough to hang meat in there. Which is great if you're performing at full speed in uniform, not so great if you're wearing a t shirt and shorts. One year I had to buy a sweatshirt at the show, and it wasn't cheap. I always try to bring in something warm to put on, even if it's a hassle. And parking is an adventure there, give yourself plenty of time to catch your favorite show, in case you have to hike from another zip code.

Anyone know where that cartoon is of the man beating the dead horse? Thanks for your input Ms. Terri. I may be wearing Academy red, but my heart beats Trooper blue.

You are missing the point. The talent is there, obviously by reference to the no less than 10 people you know who have jumped to top 5 corps. But there are a lot of people joining and staying on because they want to march for the Academy.

But you know what? So. What. Some of y'all need to get over the marching days and see the grander scheme. Kids LOVE Academy. They STAY at Academy. I think you've hit on something here. A lot of individuals in the corps are talented enough to go to a top 5 drum corps. But they want to be at Academy, they hear good things about Academy, they have friends at Academy, they are recruited by Academy. All the other stuff doesn't matter. So a top 12 finish, if it were to happen, would be icing on the cake.

Academy is doing around 20 shows this year. Blue Devils by comparison are doing around 30. In place of the other 10 shows, Academy is putting 10 hour days into their show while in Arizona.. There is room for debate which is better, additional rehearsing or performing and rehearsing in between bus rides. I guess we will know come mid August. Agreed, Academy fields a full corps, the members know what they are getting into, and the staff is first-rate. And as far as the Arizona heat goes, if you check your weather map, it's hot a lot of other places right now, too.

Academy is back in Arizona this week and the majority of next week tweaking and cleaning up their show. We will see if or how the time away from the tour affects their placement vs. the other corps. I do know that they are making a major push this year to break into the top 12. Watch the show, there's new uniforms (they seem odd at first but grow on you after a while) and the drum line and brass are probably their best ever.